Regulation of the Day 105: Not Driving Your Car

John Delacey of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, received a court summons for keeping a car in his driveway and not driving it.

The car, which he bought for his daughter, needs new brakes. He claims it is otherwise in good condition, and not an eyesore. Delacey had been saving up money for the repair.

Here’s the really shameful part:

“City property inspectors became involved when someone in the neighbourhood complained about the car.”

It would have been considerate of the offended neighbor to talk to Mr. Delacey first. Maybe they could have come to a compromise (economist Ronald Coase‘s preferred solution). Instead, he went right to the authorities.

Take a look at some other St. John’s by-laws here.

(Hat tip to Jonathan Moore)